Grimme Institute in financial difficulties - warning of cuts
In view of the Grimme Institute's current financial difficulties, prominent actors and TV personalities have warned against cuts and demanded adequate funding for the Institute. "It is with great concern that we have learned of the Grimme Institute's financial situation and the staff cuts you are planning," reads the letter to the Grimme shareholders, which was distributed via a Cologne agency.
The letter was signed by actresses, presenters and TV creators such as Hannes Jaenicke, Maren Kroymann, Carolin Kebekus, Anke Engelke, Joko Winterscheid, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Charly Hübner and Veronica Ferres.
The Grimme Institute is known above all for its prestigious TV awards. It has been providing the public with valuable guidance for over 50 years, they say. "This traditional media authority must be protected," demand the media professionals.
The Media Institute, which currently has 21 full-time positions, was founded in 1973 by the German Adult Education Association (DVV). The comparatively small institute, with a budget of just over three million euros, has run into financial problems due to higher wage settlements, higher event and energy costs for the institute's Marl headquarters, among other things, as Grimme director Frauke Gerlach recently reported on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations. A deficit of around 430,000 euros is expected for 2024, she announced.
In addition to the DVV, the shareholders are the state of NRW, which contributes 80 percent of the budget, WDR and ZDF, the state media authority, the NRW Media Foundation and the city of Marl.
"As the difficult financing situation came to a head in spring 2023, the shareholders provided the management with external consulting expertise," reads a statement from the institute. At the end of October 2023, the commissioned management consultancy proposed necessary restructuring measures for implementation, it said. What they consist of remained open for the time being. A shareholders' meeting is planned for this Wednesday (22.11.). A decision is to be made at a further meeting in mid-December at the latest.
- The financial difficulties of the Grimme Institute have led some television personalities to utilize the Internet, sharing a grim letter urging against cuts and advocating for sufficient funding.
- In response to the financial problems at the Grimme Institute, actress Marlena Kroymann, along with several other prominent media figures, argued that the high-regarded television awards institute needs protection to continue its important role in media guidance.
- Amidst the Grimme Institute's budget problems, featuring increased wages, event and energy costs at their Marl headquarters, popular TV producer Marl von Heufer-Umlauf expressed concern about the institute's future, contributing to the concerns among media professionals and shareholders.
Source: www.dpa.com
